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169 results returned for dead-ball line
2 Ball
2.1 The ball is oval and made of four panels. 2.2 It has dimensions as shown here: 2.3 It weighs 410-460 grams. 2.4 Match organisers may permit smaller balls to be used. 2.5 The ball is made of leather or a suitable synthetic material. It may be treated to make it water resistant and easier to grip. 2.6 Its air pressure at the start of play is 65.71-68.75 kilopascals, 0.67-0.70 kilograms pe
Ball held up in in-goal
Space between hands indicates that ball was not grounded.
Not releasing ball immediately in the tackle
Both hands are close to the chest, as if holding an imaginary ball.
Handling ball in ruck or scrum
Hand at ground level, making sweeping action, as if handling the ball.
Unplayable ball in ruck or tackle
Shoulders parallel with the touchline, arm horizontal pointing towards the team to throw in the ball, then pointing the other arm and hand towards the other team’s goal line whilst moving it backwards and forwards.
2025-07 Law clarification - Offside players when ball is in touch
World Rugby have issued a new formal law clarification relating to the status of an offside player when the ball goes into touch, and a quick throw-in is taken. This can be found here.
Law 2: Ball
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Definitions
h and a lineout should take place; or following an unsuccessful conversion. Dead-ball line The line at eithe ... s as an arriving player at a tackle. Forward Towards the opposition’s dead-ball line. Foul play Anythin ... a, away from the touchlines. In-goal The area between the try line and dead-ball line, and between the touch-in-goal lines. It includes the try line but not the dead-ball line or the touch-in-goal line
21 In-goal
l and simultaneously makes contact with the touch-in-goal line or the dead-ball line (or anywhere beyond either) the ball is dead. Depending on how the ball entered in-goal, play restarts with a try-lin ... d they are not also in touch or on or over the dead-ball line. 21.13 If a player, who is in in-goa ... l into in-goal. 21.14 If a player who is on or beyond the dead-ball-line, or who is in touch-in-goal, catche
2 Ball
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Try and penalty try
Referee’s back to dead-ball line. Arm raised vertically.
12 Kick-off and restart kicks
t grounds the ball without delay or it goes into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead-ball line, the no ... k is retaken. 12.6 The ball must reach the 10-metre line. Sanction: The non-kicking team has the option of the kick being retaken or a scrum. 12.7 If the ball reaches the 10-metre line but is then blown back or if an opponent plays the ball before it reaches the 10-metre line, play continues. 12.
Playing Charter
n possession of the ball, but not wilfully or maliciously to inflict injury. These are the boundaries withi ... s as possible against an opposing team by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball, accordin ... t for possession of the ball is one of rugby’s key features. These contests occur throughout the gam ... g the ball on or passing the ball forward is denied the throw at the subsequent scrum. The advantag
Foreword
The object of the game is that two teams of 15, 10 or seven players each, observing fair play, according to the laws and sporting spirit, should by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball, score as many points as possible, the team scoring the greater number of points being the winne ... s of rugby at an appropriate time, offering them more protection from injury. The age and conten
Unplayable ball in maul
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7 Advantage
l. The non-offending team is free to play the ball as they wish. b. May be territorial. Play has moved towards the offending team’s dead-ball line. c. May be a combination of tactical and territorial. ... y is taken incorrectly. f. The ball is made dead. g. It would be dangerous to let play continue. ... w the whistle immediately when: a. The ball or a player in possession of the ball, touches the refere
5 Time
n with other officials. 5.6 Once the ball is already dead, the referee may allow tim ... g the ball. 5.7 A half ends when the ball becomes dead after time has expired unless: a. A scru ... h and goes dead without the ball first being tapped and without the ball touching another player. ... o-minute break should be taken midway through the half, after a score or when the ball is dead nea
Tag Rugby
s the opposing team’s dead ball line. Sanction: Ruck ball If the ball barrier knocks-on, a ruck bal ... r, the dead ball line, or the attacking player fails to score a try, a ruck ball is awarde ... s is the area between the goal line and the dead-ball line.KickA kick is made by hitting the ball with an ... s and the ball is not dead the referee allows play to continue until the ball next becomes dead. The bal
Beach Fives Rugby
y. If it is kicked directly into touch, touch in-goal or over the dead ball line the opposing tea ... t into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, a free kick is awarded to the attacking team 5 metre ... e are made of tape, rope, string or inflatable surrounds and include: The dead ball lines and touch-in-goa ... y number of players during a match providing they do so when the ball is dead. Substitutes must ente
Touch Rugby
d. Forward means towards the opposing team’s dead ball line. Sanction: Ruck ball awarded to the no ... r because it went into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, or the attacking player fail ... r because it went into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, a ruck ball is awarde ... g or passing the ball to a team-mate.In-goalThis is the area between the goal line and the dead-bal
18 Touch, quick throw and lineout
e, the ball is in touch and becomes dead. Quick-throws and lineouts are methods of restarting the gam ... e, touch-in-goal line or anything beyond; or a ball being held, or the ball-carrier with the bal ... y touching the touchline, touch-in-goal line or the ground beyond, catches or holds the ball. i. If the bal ... e-metre line before it is played and a player must not prevent the ball from travelling five metre
20 Penalty and free-kick
e the playing area while the ball is in play. On the 15-metre line, in line with where the offence occurred or if the offence occurred in touch-in-goal or beyond the dead-ball line, on the five-metre lin ... d or was played. If the ball lands in in-goal, in touch-in-goal, or on or over the dead-ball lin ... k. At the place of infringement. While the ball is dead. At the point where play would have restarte
Beach Touch Rugby
g they do so when the ball is dead. Substitutes must enter the playing area at the half way line. A playe ... t into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, a free pass is awarded to the defending team fiv ... d there, either because it went into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, a free pass is awarde ... g or inflatable surrounds and include: The dead ball lines and touch-in-goal lines which are outsid
6 Match officials
r, a player may access water from their technical area, or from behind the dead ball line after a tr ... y, penalty or dropped goal has been scored. e. The ball or ball-carrier touches the dead-ball lin ... m behind the dead-ball line. The water carriers must leave when the conversion is taken. i ... v. Players may access water in the Technical zone and from behind their own dead ball line. If water is lef
Beach Tag Rugby
h providing they do so when the ball is dead. Substitutes must enter the playing area at the half way lin ... d there, either because it went into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line or the attacking player fail ... h-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, a free pass is awarded to the attacking team five metre ... g or inflatable surrounds and include: The dead ball lines and touch-in-goal lines which are outsid
Clarification 1-2021
s a penalty or a free kick, is the ball considered dead, in which case, is a player replacement possibl ... h happen for the replacement to occur: The ball is dead The Referee gives permission The award of an FK or PK does not in itself mean the ball is dead and players may tap and go. However, sometimes when an FK or PK occurs alongside an incident such as an injury the Referee will make the ball dea
8 Scoring
b. Is first to ground the ball when a scrum, ruck or maul reaches the try line. c. With the bal ... r to the opponents’ try line and the player immediately reaches out and grounds the ball. e. Wh ... r is not in possession of the ball. Grounding the ball Scoring a try - when a scrum reaches the try lin ... s the kicker to replace it. While the ball is replaced, the opponents remain behind their try line. 8.1
9 Foul play
y into touch, on the 15-metre line in line with where the ball crossed the touchline; or If the ball lands in in-goal, touch-in-goal or on or over the dead-ball line, five metres from the try line in line with where the ball crossed the try line and at least 15 metres from the touchlin ... 6 A player must not obstruct, or in any way interfere with an opponent while the ball is dea
2026-07 Law updates
e in-goal restart scenarios, when a try isn't scored, change from a 22DO to a Try Line Drop-Out. For example - a charge down from the field of play which goes dead, and a ball carrier carrying the ball into in-goal near the corner flag and who is then tackled into touch-in-goal before grounding the ball would have been a 22DO - both now become a TLDO. A presentation outlining the majo
1 The ground
s and the dead-ball lines (eight flag posts in total). 1.10 One flag post is positioned in line with the 2 ... 4 There are solid lines configured as shown in the ground diagram. The solid lines are on: a. The dead-ball lines and touch-in-goal lines. b. The try lines. c. The 22-metre lines. d. The half-way line. ... n a dash line is five metres in length. There are dash lines: a. Five metres from, and paralle
19 Scrum
m. The ball is played by, or taken into in-goal by the defending team and made dead. In the scrum zone at the point closest to where the ball was made dead. The attacking team. An unplayable tackl ... e at the point closest to where the penalty was awarded. The non-offending team. Ball kicked dead throug ... g in the ball stands: a. On that team’s side of the middle line next to the opposing scrum-hal
2024-07 Law changes
y 2024. From that date, they will be reflected in World Rugby's digital law content. Offsid ... s, the kicking team - providing they are more than 10m away from the ball alighting - can be put onsid ... e and not just remain stationary. The clauses relating to the catcher running 5m and passing the bal ... g the ball or who last played it. An offside player must not interfere with play. This include
Shape of the Game: Reinforcement of current law - March 2024
l or retrieve from behind the dead-ball line. The water carriers must leave when the conversion is take ... e for the ball. In line with the definition, during the “Crouch” and “Bind” phase, match official ... n be available at all times in technical areas or behind dead ball lines. Only when no tries are score ... e will be undertaken. We urge players and coaches to adapt quickly, so we will see more ball in flo
XRugby
l, or if the ball goes dead, play is restarted with a tap and play from the 15m line. Penalty and free-kic ... l. The offside line remains until the ball is lifted from the ground by an arriving player. Hand-off A han ... d of play must do so at the half-way line after the replaced player has left the field of play. Tackle The tackler must grasp the ball carrier below the armpits, on the shirt, shorts or around the leg
21 In-goal
l kick at goal was taken. 21.16 [Replacement] 21.16 When a player carrying the ball is held up in-goal, so that the player cannot ground the ball or play the ball, the ball is dead. Play restarts with a goal line drop-out or a 5m scrum, depending on how the ball entered in-goal. (law 12.12a, and la ... o that the player cannot ground or play the ball, the ball is dead. Play restarts with a five-metre scru
13 Players on the ground in open play
d to gather the ball or who go to ground with the ball, must immediately: a. Get up with the ball; or Sanction: Penalty. b. Play (but not kick) the ball; or Sanction: Penalty. c. Release the ball. Sanction: Penalty. 13.2 Once the ball is played or released, players on the ground must immediately either move away from the ball or get up. Sanction: Penalty. 13.3 A player on the ground in the fiel
Clarification 8-2014
e the ball dead there or it has gone into touch-in goal or on or over the dead ball line." Law 13.1 ... s it dead, or if the ball becomes dead by going into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball lin ... d, or if the ball becomes dead by going into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, they have tw ... n this area and touches down, making the ball dead. What should the referee's decision be? Law 1
Clarification 3-2010
l. • If the ball is kicked into in-goal by a player from the attacking team and the ball is made dead by the players touching the ball and the ball travels and lands on or over the dead ball line or touc ... h players go for it. The ball then goes dead. Question from above: Does Law 22.15 apply scrum ... l is kicked into in-goal by a player from the attacking team and the ball is made dead by the player
11 Knock forward or throw forward
m (if the ball goes into touch, the non-offending team may opt instead for a quick-throw or lineout). (See als ... t, makes contact with the ball and the ball goes forward. Sanction: Scrum (if the ball goes into touc ... t not intentionally knock the ball forward with hand or arm. Sanction: Penalty. 11.4 It is not an intentional knock forward if, in the act of trying to catch the ball, the player knocks on provide
Offside at the ruck - May 2014
When a scrum half attempts to retrieve the ball from a ruck, the ball is not out until that player has picked the ball up from the ground. In the clip the scrum half is taken out by the player before the ball is off the ground and this would be deemed to be offside by the player tackling the scrum half. If, however, the scrum half had picked up the ball and a defending player tackles the scru